Electrical switch



Sept. 14 ,1926. 1,600,167

B. E. GETCHELL ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Nov. 20, 1924 I 2 Sheets-Sheetl INVENTOR Sept, 14 1926.

B. E. GETCHELL ELECTRICAL SWITCH Filed Nov. 20, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Patented Sept. 14, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,600,167 PATENT OFFICE.

BENJAMIN E. GETCHELL, OF PLAINVILLE, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE TRUM- BULL ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PLAINVILLE, CONNECTICUT, A

CORPORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

ELECTRICAL SWITCH.

Application filed November 20, 1924. Serial No. 750,979.

One object of my invention is to provide a switch which is simple, rugged, and coinpact in construction. A particular object is to provide a means for so mounting the switch blades that they will be anchored against rotary or endwisc movement but will be free to adapt themselves laterally to the co-acting contacts also so that no switch operating shock is transmitted to the edges of the channels in the insulating members in which the blades are mounted.

Another object is to provide an insulating base having grooves which permit the free movement of the switch blades but which greatly reduce the arcing of the contacts when the switch is operated.

Another object is to provide a readily detachable and reversible fuse carrying cover member.

Figure 1 shows such a switch embodied in an enclosed or safety type and with the cover open. circuit fuses being omitted.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view showing the cover closed.

Figure 3 is a side view of the switch proper.

Figure 4 is a detail view of part of the quickbreak or throwing mechanism.

Figure 5 is a plan view of the movable switch member.

Figure 6 is an end view of the switch contact carrier with the switch blade in position.

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the parts of the carrier and contacts.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the movable switch member for a three-blade switch.

Figure 9 is a fragmentary section of a slight modification.

The parts are usually mounted on an insulating base 10 and include stationary contacts 11 and 12. and a movable contact blade 13. carrier cylinder composed of a series of parts, such as 14 and 15, held together by one or more longitudinal tie rods 16. Prof erably end plates 17 and 18 are provided through which these tie rods pass. For simplicity in mounting I provide these end plates 17 and 18 with hearing studs 19 and 20 which are supported in brackets 21 and 22 suitably secured to the base 10. Each of the parts 14 and 15 is formed of insulating on the cylinder.

The switch blades are mounted on a nel 23 for the blade 13.

Each blade is preferably notched at opposite sides as at 2 1 to accommodate a boss 25 An anchor bar 26 passes through each contact blade and has its opposite ends extending into corresponding recesses in the adjacent parts 14 and 15 of the carrier. Preferably the dimensions of the recesses in the parts 14 and 15, the switch blade 13, and the anchor bar 26 are such as to secure the blade against endwise movement but to somewhat loosely hold the blade 13 laterally so that it can adapt itself to the position of the stationary switch jaws or contacts 11 and 12. The channel 23 is preferably wider than the blade 13 so that the operating shock is taken up between the bar 26 and the corresponding slots in the body members 14 and 15. The channel 23 is also preferably deeper than the thickness of the blade 13 so as to permit a limited lateral movement of the blades. Obviously the channel 23 may be made full depth in one end of each section or the depth may be divided between the two abutting body members. half depth being in each body member as shown at 23 in Fig. 9. The method of connecting the blades 13 to the insulating carrier distributes the strain in such a manner as to avoid cracking, or chipping the carrier. This is quite important in view of the fact that the switch is primarily a quickaction switch which is subjected to repeated severe strains of the operating mechanism. It will be understood that the parts of the carrier and switch blades may be assembled in any number so as to provide the breaking of one, two, three or more circuitsfor instance, Figure 5 shows a carrier with two switch blades and Figure 8 shows a carrier with three switch blades. The right hand end member 14 may be just like the left member for convenience in manufacture but in that case its slot 23 performs no function.

I may provide an insulating cover member 27 which is secured to the brackets 22 and 23. This may carry clips 28 and 29 for the fuses. (not shown). Clip 28 is provided with a circuit terminal 30 and clip 29 is connected to contact 12 by a member 31. The other contact 11 is provided with a circuit terminal 32. The parts are all so constructed as to practically enclose the stationary as well as the movable switch contacts 'so that there is no danger of accidental contact with them. The plate 17 is provided with a pin 33 which projects through a slot in the bracket 21 as shown in Figure 3.

The switch is shown mounted within a box 34 having a cover 35. Preferably a guard plate 36 is mounted on a lug 37 projecting inwardly from one end of the box and rests on a ledge 38 of the cover 27. A similar guard plate 39 may be provided at the lower end of the switch.

An external operating handle 40 is provided with a hub which is supported in one ball of the box and is provided with a lost motion connection for the operating member 42 which also has a lost motion connection with the projecting pin 33. Normally the spring 43 holds the operator 42 yieldingly in one position with the handle in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. This spring 43 is supported on a rod 44. hen it is desired to close the circuit the handle 40 is lifted or swung forwardly until the left arm (Fig. 4) of the operator 42 engages the pin 33 and starts to rotate the switch contact carrier. As soon as the spring 43 has been compressed beyond the line of centers, the spring throws the carrier with a snap action into the closed circuit position.

The insulating base 10 is preferably provided with slots 45 and 46 which allow the free movement of the switch blades but greatly reduce arcing of the contacts when the switch is operated.

The insulating cover member 27 is also preferably provided with slots 47 and 48 which act like slots 45 and 46 on the base member for the further protection against arcing of the switch contacts. The base and cover members are recessed at the center to receive the transverse blade carrier so that when the switch is in the OFF position. the pairs of contacts having the same polarity are completely separated and insulated by the ,insulatincr blade carrier.

The cover member 2( is readily detachable and may be reversed by merely securing the strap member 31 to the terminal at the other end of the switch base. This feature is of great advantage because it allows for the connection of the circuit wires to either end of the switch.

The quick break mechanism is described in detail in my co-pending application Serial #588,834.

I claim 1. In an electric switch a carrier composed of insulating sections mounted end to end, one of which has a transverse channel in its end adjacent the adjoining section, a switch blade mounted in said channel, an anchor bar removably housed within adjacent sections and interlocking said blade with said sections, and a tie rod extending through said carrier.

2. A carrier including insulating sections one of which has a transverse'channel, a switch blade mounted in said channel, and an anchor member loosely interlocking said blade with said section.

3. In an electric switch a blade carrier, formed of insulating sections mounted end to end and having re;esses in the ends of each section and transverse channels in adjacent ends, a switch blade mounted in said channels between said sections and having an opening. an anchor bar seated in the recesses in said sections and extending through the opening in said switch blade for interlocking said blade with said sections, and tie-rods extending through said sections and securing them together.

4. A carrier including insulating sections one of which has a transverse channel. a switch blade mounted in said channel, an anchor member loosely interlocking said blade with said section and a tie rod connecting said sections.

A carrier including two similar end sections, an intermediate section between said end sections, a switch blade arranged between the intermediate section and each end section, a separate anchor bar connecting each blade with a section separately from the other blades and ties rods connecting said blade.

6. A carrier including insulating se. tions, a switch blade mounted between said sections, an interlocking anchor bar separately connecting the blade with the adjacent sections, end plates having pivot studs and tie rods conne ting said plates to said sections.

7. A switch carrier including insulating sections at least one ofwhich has atransverse channel with a projecting boss in at least one side of said channel, a switch blade mounted loosely in said channel and having a not: h receiving said boss, and an anchor member interlocking said blade with the adjacent sections.

8. An enclorted switch including an insulating'base. an insulating cover, brackets conneiting said base and cover a carrier pivotally supported by said brackets, switch blades loosely carried by said carrier, switch contacts carried by said base between said brackets, said base and ('over having slots to receive the ends of said blades, the walls of said slots serving to prevent injurious arcing.

BENJAMIN E. GETCHELL. 

